West Chicago is an industrial suburb located about 30 miles west of downtown Chicago. Situated near three Illinois highways and a railroad station, this community is a popular place to live among commuters who work throughout the Chicago region.
This suburb has seen consistent growth since its founding in the 1850s, and it is now home to about 27,000 people. Over the past few decades, many Latinx families have settled in West Chicago, and they now compose 48 percent of the population. While these are all positive indicators, 37.5 percent of the population remains low income.
West Chicago’s infrastructure was originally built for travelers and rail workers. The town’s railroad industry flourished from the 1850s until the 1970s. Even after the decline of the railroads, West Chicago remained an industrial hub and many of its jobs are still in the manufacturing sector today.
The West Chicago Neighborhood Network was launched in 2014. WeGo Together for Kids serves as the lead community partner. This coalition of more than 40 organizations is working with United Way to identify resources and programs to improve the lives of community residents.
West Chicago Bold goal
By 2025, 90 percent of K-8 students will meet projected improvements in reading and math, and the obesity rate among youth will decrease by 6 percent.
The West Chicago Neighborhood Network seeks to enhance the health, safety and well-being of children and families. This is accomplished through a collaborative, coordinated and comprehensive approach with neighborhood schools and community members.
Select “next” to read more about our work so far.
Partnering with schools
Community school coordinators worked with English as a Second Language providers to increase the effectiveness and availability of classes. This resulted in the highest test scores in the history of the English Language Learners Program.
Network schools increased the percentage of kids meeting academic growth rates from 47 percent in 2016 to 50.5 percent in 2017.
Health and well-being
Community mental health clinicians provided services to students and their families more than 1,100 times, including individual and family sessions, case management, parenting education, group sessions and crisis interventions.
In 2017, 120 households accessed the community market each month and approximately 195,000 pounds of food was distributed.
The West Chicago Neighborhood Network is continuing to refine a results-based strategy for improving its community.
Select “next” to read more about how the Network is continuing to improve.
Creating structure
A collaborative group of school and organizational partners developed a set of shared intake questions to identify ways to best support families in addressing barriers to family and student success.
Network partners created a data platform to accurately capture participation in community events.
WeGo Together for Kids established a baseline of 46.3 percent of students being overweight or obese. The organization is working with the DuPage County Health Department to track data annually.
Community School Coordinator, West Chicago District 33
“Our mission is really to work with the parents to build advocacy skills, to work on leadership opportunities and then find different committees or building bases in the schools or communities where the parents feel empowered and welcome to share their voice at the table.”
Ma. Elena Gonzalez
WeGo Together for Kids leadership training participant; West Chicago mother of two
“What has impacted me the most is to know myself more—to know what I can do and what I can become…. I feel fulfilled as a person. I feel enthusiasm for myself that I managed to make this goal and that I can achieve more and go further.”
Margi Schiemann
Director of Community Affairs, Nicor Gas
“It’s through these partnerships and efforts that we see firsthand the results of the investment we have made and will continue to make in Northern Illinois communities.”